What the **** was that call?
I know this is a long time late, but after seeing some interesting analysis of that specific play- it turned out to be a really good example of how Michigan outcoached Alabama- and not just for this game.
So if you will, recall the 3rd quarter- Alabama was getting some serious traction with run-pass-option plays, where Millroe ran the ball many times. So given what had happened that *worked* during the game, an RPO was a pretty expected play to call for that.
Then they line up- 1 to the right, 2 to the left, and a running back. Snap the ball- I'll get to this as it goes on.
The running back went to the field side with the two wide receivers, and the short side LB followed him. Now it *appears* that there could have been a play there, but the LB was even enough with him to make up the yardage- the RB ran along the 10 yard line, meaning he didn't have that much space to beat 3 guys for a TD. AND when that short side LB moves out- that creates a huge hole in the defensive backfield. Meaning the run should have been the right read the whole time- the linemen should have been able to push out the two interior D man, and it would have been an easy TD.
But this is where Saban and Co got outcoached. Minter knew this is what the play would have been (he was paying attention), he knew what the base read was, and prepared for it. And this totally fooled Milroe and the read- seeing the open middle of the field, he ran that direction, and the Michigan D just crushed the line- Michigan had enough players in the area to take on all of Alabama's players and make the play. And they blitzed- so they had the personnel momentum going backwards. Basically, Michigan tricked Alabama to make the play call to do exactly what they did, and they were ready for it.
In hindsight, the "better" play would have been to pass it to the RB on the outside. Except 2 things- first the snap meant Milroe had to protect the ball to even have a chance to tie the game, and 2) even with a good snap, the odds of him making that play was really high anyway- again, Michigan wanted him to read the short side LB opening the middle of the field, which he did. So Saban and Co taught him to react exactly the way he did all season. They were not at all ready for a defense would trick them into making that play.
And I bring this whole thread up now because Saban retired. I kind of think the fact that all he could do was teach this read to this super talented group of people playing a "less talented" group of people (based on recruiting) means that coaching can out do his talent search. And his coaching can't penetrate as well as it may have in the past. So his role as the GOAT college HC was far more about recruiting instead of coaching as time has gone on.
Anyway, hindsight is always 20/20- but when you look at the play and see what Milroe saw, knowing his line, I will contend he made the right play. He could not have known that Minter knew what he would do, and baited him into that call.
